1 And the third day - After he had said this. In Cana
of Galilee - There were two other towns of the same name, one in the tribe
of Ephraim, the other in Caelosyria.
2 Jesus and his disciples were invited to the marriage - Christ
does not take away human society, but sanctifies it. Water might have quenched
thirst; yet our Lord allows wine; especially at a festival solemnity. Such
was his facility in drawing his disciples at first, who were afterward
to go through rougher ways.
3 And wine falling short - How many days the solemnity had lasted,
and on which day our Lord came, or how many disciples might follow him,
does not appear. His mother saith to him, They have not wine - Either she
might mean, supply them by miracle; or, Go away, that others may go also,
before the want appears.
4 Jesus saith to her, Woman - So our Lord speaks also, John 19:26.
It is probable this was the constant appellation which he used to her.
He regarded his Father above all, not knowing even his mother after the
flesh. What is it to me and thee? A mild reproof of her inordinate concern
and untimely interposal. Mine hour is not yet come - The time of my working
this miracle, or of my going away. May we not learn hence, if his mother
was rebuked for attempting to direct him in the days of his flesh, how
absurd it is to address her as if she had a right to command him, on the
throne of his glory? Likewise how indecent it is for us to direct his supreme
wisdom, as to the time or manner in which he shall appear for us in any
of the exigencies of life!
5 His mother saith to the servants - Gathering from his answer
he was about to do something extraordinary.
6 The purifying of the Jews - Who purified themselves by frequent
washings particularly before eating.
9 The governor of the feast - The bridegroom generally procured
some friend to order all things at the entertainment.
10 And saith - St. John barely relates the words he spoke, which
does not imply his approving them. When they have well drunk - does not
mean any more than toward the close of the entertainment.
11 And his disciples believed - More steadfastly.
